Switch-stand crank mechanism.



F. C. ANDERSON.

SWITCH STAND CRANK MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJ. m5.

1 169, 10, Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

irnn srarns FRANK G. ANDERSON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO THEAMERICAN VALVE & METER COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OFOHIO.

SWITCH-STAND CRANK MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

Application filed August 7, 1915. Serial 0. 44,165.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, FRANK C. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch- StandCrank Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to switch stands; and its object is to render theswitch stand interchangeable for use on either the right or left handside of the track, and for a turnout in either direction, whereby it maybe locked over the front head-block in any of these installations, i.e.locked on the side of approach into the turnout, thus permitting moreuniformity and convenience in general, in the installation and operationof switches.

lVith the above purposes in view my in vention consists in the improvedcrank and crank mechanism hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Inthe drawing: Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch stand with myimproved crank mechanism applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a front elevation ofthe same; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional side elevation of the same, thesection being taken on a line corresponding to the line w-zv of Fig. 2;Fig. 4c is a detail perspective view of the crank; Fig. 5 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 3, showing a modifica tion; and Fig. 6 is a detailperspective view of the modified head.

The switch stand here shown to exemplify the use of my inventioncomprises the frame 1 with the top plate 2, which has the two notches 8and 1, 180 apart and adapted to be alined substantially parallel withthe track rail and having a backward extension 5 with a third notch 6midway between or 90 from the other two notches 3 and 4 and openingoutwardly at right angles to the track rail. A shaft 7 is j ournaledvertically in the frame 1 and has a fulcrum head 8 fixed upon it toswing around over the top plate 2, while this fulcrum head 8 has a'substantially L-sh'aped in this respect.

around, turning the shaft 7 with it. As here shown, the shaft is rotatedthrough an angle of 180 to throw the switch.

The connecting rod 10 extends from the crankof the switch stand overtoward the track between the head blocks 11 and 12, to which the feet 13and 1 1 of the framel are secured, and is connected with the point railsin a well known manner. In order that the switclroperating lever 9 mayhave closed the switch when it has dropped into the notch 3 or 4,depending upon whichever side the switch turns out upon, it is necessaryto pro vide for two difi'erent adjustments of the crank with respect tothe shaft 7 and, since the switch stand may be located on one or theother side of the track, it is necessary to provide two adjustments forthis reason in connection with either one of the above reasons. It ishighly desirable that it be possible to order any quantity of the switchstands and use them in any one of the four positions demanded in theservice. It is in the crank of the switch stand that I provide means forenabling the above convenience to be attained. I accomplish this purposeby providing the lower end of the shaft 7 with a substantiallyrectangular head 15 which has openings 16 through it horizontally atright angles to each other. The head 15 may be forged on the end of theshaft 7 and the openings 16 may be bored therethrough.

The crank 17 comprises a head 18 with an upright part19 and a horizontalpart 20 extending in one direction from. the bottom of the part 19 sothat this head 18 is thus It has a rib 21 that braces the two parts 19and 20 with respect to each other. Projecting down from the bottom ofthe lower horizontal part 20 is the crank pin 22 having on its lower enda flat head 23. Projecting from the side of the upright part 19 indirection opposite from the projection of the lower part 9.0 is a shank2d which is adapted to fit into and extend through either one of thehorizontal openings 16 through the head 15 of the shaft 7. Alsoprojecting from the head 18 inthe direction of the shank 2 1 but atthe'bottom opposite from the part 20is a lip 25 that will come snuglyunder the lower side of the shaft head 15. The shank 24 is threaded fora considerable distance number of washers 29 may be interposed, as

shown in Figs. 1 and 3. I The connecting rod 10 has a erotchy30 on itsend to fit up against a side of the crank pin 22 between the lower sideof the crank head 18 and the head 23 of the crank pin 22 and when therod 10 is in this position a U-shaped strap 31 ispassed over the crankpin 22 with its side parts flanking the rod 10 near itsend, and bolts 32are passed through openings in the side parts of the strap 31 andthrough the rod 10, as shown in Fig. 3, holding the strap rigidly to therod. Thus the bearing of the connecting rod 10 on the crank pin 22 ismade up of the crotch 30 and the part of the strap 31 that extendsaround the otherside of the'crank pin, as is best seen in Fig. 1. I

The entire crank comprising the head 18, with its two parts 19 and-2Oand. rib 21 and the crank pin 22 with its head 23 and'the shank 24: andthe lip 25 are all formed integrally of cast steel or of a steelforging.

The purpose of the lip 25 engaging with the lower side of the shaft head15 is to prevent turning of the crank in the opening 16 in which it isinserted. From the foregoing it will be seen that the crank 17 may bemade to have four different positions with respect to the shaft 7 byinserting the shank 24 through either one of the openings 16 in eitherdirection. Furthermore, when the washers 29 are interposed between thenut 26 and the shaft head 15 the radius of the crank may be very readilyadjusted by transferring one ormore of these washers 29 to the otherside of the shaft head 15 between it and the crank head 18. Thusadjustment of the radius or throw of the crank may be .made tocompensate for wear or to make the switch stand suitable for dilferentswitches having the point rails thrown dif ferent distances.

Whlle thus providing for ready adjustment for the purposes hereinbeforepointed out, and also for ready adjustment of the throw of the crankwhen the washers are used, there is,'nowhere, in the construction ofthecrank on its fastening to the shaft 7 any part that is liable tobecome loose and allow the parts to become detached and inoperative.Therefore, while affording great convenience, there is also afforded ahigh degree of safety and efliciency in this important part of a switchstand.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the

ing example, with the advantage of dispensing with the need of finishingthe shank in behind the lip 25", offsetting the disadvantage of havingthe crank made thus in two pieces; and atthe same time, all of theadvantages of adjusting for difie'rent positions and of adjusting theradium or throw of the crank are available as with the device of theprecedingexample.

Although I show my invention applied tov a switch stand for operationthrough an angle of 180, it will be understood that it is equallysuitable for operation through only as whenthe lever. 9 occupies theintermediate notch 6 in open position.

Having fully described my invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In switch stand crank mechanism, in combination with a switch stand,means operatively connecting the switch stand to the switch comprising ashaft and a crank, means for connecting said crank to said shaft in anyone of four positions according to the position of the switch standrelative to the switch and to the direction of turnout of the switch. 7

2. In switch stand crank mechanism, in

combination withv a switch stand, means operatively connecting theswltch stand to the switch comprising a shaft and a crank, means forconnecting said crank to said shaft in anyoneof four positions accordingto the position of the switch stand relative to the, switch and to thedirection of turnout of the switch, and comprising a connecting rod, acrank pin integral with said crank, a head on said crank pin integralwith said crank pin, and a strap holding the end of said connecting rodto said crank pin be-' tween said crank and said head of said crank pin.p

8. In switch stand crank mechanism, in

combination with a switch stand, means operatively connecting the switchstand to the switch comprising a shaft and a crank, means for connectingsaid crank to said shaft in any one of four positions according to theposition of the switch stand relative the switch and to the direction ofturnout of the'switch, and a series of spacing means between said shaftand said connecting means of said crank adapted to be variouslycombination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating shaft, ahead on said shaft having openings through it in two differentdirections, a crank having a shank adapted to extend througheither oneof the V openings in either one of two directions, means for holdingsald shank 1n the opening in WhlCh it is lnserted, and a pro ection onsaid crank engaging with a side of said head to prevent the turning ofsaid crank with its shank in the opening. a t

6. In switch stand crank mechanism, in combination with a switch standcomprising a switch-operating shaft, a headon said shaft having openingsthrough it in two different directions, a crank having a shank adaptedto extend through either one of the openings in either one of twodirections, means for holding said shank in the opening in which it isinserted, and a crank pin integral with said crank. I

7. In switch stand crank mechanism, in combination with a switchstandcomprising a switch-operating shaft, a head on, said shaft havingopenings through it in two different directions, a crankhaving a shankadapted to extend througheither one of the openings in either one of twodirections, means for holding said shank in theopening in which it isinserted, a crank pin integral with saidcrank, a head on said crank pinintegral with said crank pin, a connecting rod having an end againstsaid crank pin between the crank and the head of the crank pin, andastrap passing around the crank pin and secured to said connecting rodbetween said crank and said head of said crank pin. a I

8. In switchstand crank mechanism, in combination with a switch standcompris ing a switch-operating shaft, a; head on said shaft havingopenings through it in two different directions, a crank having a shankadapted to extend through either one of, the openings in either one oftwo directions, means for holding said shank in the opening in which itis inserted, a projection on said crank engaging with a sideof said headto prevent the turning of said crank with its, shank in the opening, anda crank pin integral with said crank f a 9,1 11 switchjstandcrankmechanism, in

combination with a switch stand comprisinga switch-operating shaft, ahead on said shafthaving openings through it in two I different.directions, a crank having a shank adapted to extend through either oneof the openings in either one of two directions,

means for holding said shank in theopen- 10, In switch stand crankmechanism, in

combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating shaft, ahead on said shaft havlin'g openings through it in two differentdirections, a crank having a shank adaptedto extend through either oneofthe openings in either one ,of two directions, meansfor holding saidshank in the opening in which it. is inserted, a projection on saidcrank engaging with a side of said head to prevent the turning of saidcrank with its shank in the opening, and a crank pin integral with saidcrank, said shank and said projection being integral with said crank andcrank pin.

11. In switch stand crank mechanism, in combination with a switch standcomprising a switch-operating shaft, a head on said shaft havingopenings through it in two different directions, a crank having a shank12.- Inswitch stand crank mechanism, in

combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating shaft, ahead on said shaft having openings through itin two diflerentdirections, a crank having a shank adapted to extend through either oneof the openings in either one of two directions, threads on the end partof said shank, a nut screwedonto said threads toward said head to holdsaid: crank to said shaft, and a series ofwashers interposed betweensaid nut and said head, one or more of which may be transferred to theopposite side of said head between it and the crank, whereby the radiusor throw of said crank may be adjusted.

13. In switch stand crank mechanism, in combination with a switch standcomprising a switch-operating shaft, a head on said shaft havingopenings through itin two i a crank pin integral with said crank, a headside of said head'to prevent the turning of said crank with its shank inthe openin t 14. In switch stand crank mechanism, in combination with aswitch stand comprising a switclroperating shaft, a head on said shafthaving openings through it in two dif ferent directions, a crank havinga shank adapted to extend through either'one of the openings in eitherone of two directions, threads on the end part of said shank, a nutscrewed onto said threads toward said head to hold said crank to saidshaft, and a crank pin integral with said crank.

15. in switch stand crank mechanism, in coinbinationwith a switch standcomprising a switclroperating shaft, a head on said shaft havingopenings through it in two different directions a crank havin a shankadapted to extend through either one of the openings in either one oftwo directions,

threads on the end part of said shank, a

nut screwed onto said threads toward said head to hold said crank tosaid shaft,

on said crank pin integral with said crank pin, a connecting rod havingan end against said crankpin between the crank and'the head of the crankpin, andastrap passing around the crank pin and secured to saidconnecting rod between said crank andsaid head of said crank pin.

l6. In switch stand crankmechanism, in

conibinationwith a switch Stand comprising a switch-operating shaft, ahead on said shaft having openings through it in two differentdirections, a crank havinga shank adapted to extend through either oneof the openings in either one of two directions, threads on the end partofsaid shank, a nut screwed onto said threads toward said head to holdsaid crank to said shaft, a projection on said crank engaging with aside of said head to prevent the turning of said crank with its shankinthe opening, and a crank pin integral with said crank. t

17, In switch stand crank mechanism, in combination with a switch standcomprising a switch-operating shaft, a head on said shaft havingopenings through it in two different directions, a crank having a shankadapted to extend through either one of the opening-sin either one oftwo directions, threads on the end part of said shank, a nut screwedonto said threads toward said head tohold said crank to said shaft, anda series of washers'interposed between saidnut and said head, one ormore of which maybe transferred to the opposite side of said headbetween it and the crank, whereby the radius or throw of said crank maybe adjusted, and a projection on said crank engaging with aside of saidhead to prevent igieegio'c combinationjwith a switch stand comprising aswitch-operating shaft, a head on said transferred to the opposite sideof said head between it and the crank, wherebythe radius orthrow of saidcrank may be adjusted, and a crank pin integral with said crank.

19. In switch stand crank mechanism, in combinationwith a switch standcomprising a switch-operating shaft, a head on said shaft havingopenings through it in two different directions, a crank having a shankadapted to extend through either one of'the, openings in either one of"two directions,

threads on the 'endpart of said shank, a; nut screwed onto said'threadstoward said head to hold said crank to said shaft, a series of washersinterposed between said nut' and said head, one or more of which may betransferred to the opposite side of said head between it andthe crank,whereby the radius or throw of said crank may be adjusted, a crank pinintegral with said crank, a head on said crank pin integral with saidcrank pin, a connecting rod having an end against said crank pin betweenthe crank and the head ofthe crank pin, and a strap passing around thecrankpin' and secured to said connecting rod between said crank and saidhead of said crank pin, 1

20. In switch stand crank mechanism, in

combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating shaft, ahead on said shafthaving' openings through it in two differentdirections, a crank having a shank adapted to extend through e ther oneof the said crank with'its shank in the opening, and

a crank pin integral with said crank.

21. In switch stand crank mechanism, in

combination with a shaft, ,a rectangular head formed on said shaftintegral there with and having openings through it at right angles toeach other and at right angles to the axisof the shaft, and a crankcomprising a head having a vertical part and a horizontal part extendingfrom said vertical part near its lower end in one direction, a crank pinextending from the lower side of said horizontal part downward, and ahead on the lower part of said crank pin, a shank extending from saidvertical part 1n direction opposite from that of the horizontal part andadapted to pass through either one of said openings in said shaft headin either direction, a lip extending from said crank head in the samedirection as the extension of the shank and adapted to engage with thelower side of said head to prevent the crank from turning with its shankin the opening in the shaft head, threads on the end part of said shank,and a nut screwed on said threads toward said shaft head to hold saidcrank to said shaft.

22. In switch stand crank mechanism, in combination with a shaft, arectangular head formed on said shaft integral therewith and havingopenings through it at right angles to each other and at right angles tothe axis of the shaft, and a crank comprising a head having a verticalpart and a horizontal part extending from said vertical part near itslower end in one direction, a crank pin extending from the lower side ofsaid horizontal part downward, and a head on the lower part of saidcrank pin, a shank extending from said vertical part in directionopposite from that of the horizontal part and adapted to pass througheither one of said openings in said shaft head in either direction, alip extending from said crank head in the same direction as theextension of the shank and adapted to engage with the lower side of saidhead to prevent the crank from turning with its shank in the opening inthe shaft head, threads 011 the end part of said shank, a nut screwed onsaid threads toward said shaft head to hold said crank to said shaft,and a series of washers around said shank between said nut and saidshaft head, one or more of which may be transferred to a position aroundsaid shank between said shaft head and the vertical part of said crankhead, whereby the radius or throw of the crank may be varied.

28. In switch stand crank mechanism, in combination with a shaft, arectangular head formed on said shaft integral therewith and havingopenings through it at right angles to each other and at right angles tothe axis of the shaft, and a crank comprising a head having a verticalpart and a horizontal part extending from said vertical part near itslower end in one direction, a crank pin extending from the lower side ofsaid horizontal part downward, and

a head on the lower part of said crank pin, a shank extending from saidvertical part in direction opposite from that of the horizontal part andadapted to pass through either one of said openings in said shaft headin either direction, a lip extending from said crank head in the samedirection as the extension of the shank and adapted to engage with thelower side of said head to prevent the crank from turning with its shankin the opening in the shaft head, threads on the end part of said shank,a nut screwed on said threads toward said shaft head to hold said crankto said shaft, and a' parts, whereby said connecting rod is pivotallyheld to said crank.

24. In switch stand crank H16Cl1tI1lSm,lI1 combination with a shaft, arectangular head formed on said shaft integral therewith and havingopenings through it at right angles to each other and at right angles tothe axis of the shaft, and a crank comprising a head having a verticalpart and a horizontal part extending from said vertical part near itslower end in one direction, a crank pin extending from the lower side ofsaid horizontal part downward, and a head on the lower part of saidcrank pin, a shank extending from said vertical part in directionopposite from that of the horizontal part and adapted to pass througheither one of said openings in said shaft head in either direction, alip extending from said crank head in the same direction as theextension of the shank and adapted to engage with the lower side of saidhead to prevent the crank from turning with its shank in the opening inthe shaft head, threads on the end part of said shank, a nut screwed onsaid threads toward said shaft head to hold said crank to said shaft,and a connecting rod abutting said crank pin between the lower side ofsaid crank head and the crank pin head, and a strap extending around thecrank pin and having side parts flanking the connecting rod, and boltsthrough said connecting rod and said side parts, whereby said connectingrod is piv Witnesses:

JAMES N. RAMSEY, CLARENCE PERDE Copies of this patent may be obtainedfor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. G.

